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New Forest East

DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO – SOLAR PANELS PRODUCED IN CHINA BY UYGHUR SLAVE LABOUR - 03 September 2024

DEPARTMENT FOR ENERGY SECURITY AND NET ZERO – SOLAR PANELS PRODUCED IN CHINA BY UYGHUR SLAVE LABOUR - 03 September 2024

Sir Julian Lewis: I warmly congratulate the Secretary of State on his appointment; he is the perfect example of a political renewable. As politicians, we all have a great deal to contribute to onshore wind. More seriously, does the Secretary of State share my concern that the Guardian last year and the Daily Telegraph this year both drew attention to the Chinese exploitation of Uyghur slave labour in the manufacture of so many solar panels? Other countries have been banning their import. How does he propose to deal with the matter, because I am sure that he shares my concern that we should not profit on the back of that sort of disgraceful exploitation?

[The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband): I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his kind words. He raises an incredibly serious and important issue. When I came into Government, I asked for discussions across Government on this. Controls were in place, to be fair to the last Government, and as part of the ongoing solar taskforce, these issues were being looked at, but we need to kick the tyres on this, to make sure that the proper controls are in place. My Department is very happy to have discussions with him and other interested parties on those questions.]